Carnival Corp & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, has reported third quarter net profit of $934 million, down from $1.33 billion in the same period last year, on revenues of $4.73 billion, up from $4.68 billion a year befotre.
The group’s financial year ends on 30 November.
For the first six months, the profit fell to $1.01 billion from $1.20 billion, while revenues remained stable at $11.80 billion.
“While some of our current challenges and cost pressures will continue well into next year, we have tremendous opportunities to enhance shareholder value over time,” said group ceo Arnold W. Donald in a statement.
"Asia is a key focus of our international expansion. During the third quarter, we opened five additional sales offices in China, following the establishment of a corporate office in Singapore earlier this year," said Donald.
He added that Princess Cruises recently announced plans to homeport Sapphire Princess in China for a four-month season beginning in May 2014, bringing the total to five vessels in the region next year dedicated to guests sourced from Asia.
Earlier this month, the company announced it had received the support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard and Transport Canada to implement a leading edge "scrubber" technology designed to reduce air emissions on 32 ships. "The company has been a partner in the development of the scrubber technology and will take the lead in further refining both the scrubber design and installation process over the next few years. In addition to exceeding stricter air emission standards, this technology will help us mitigate escalating fuel costs," said Donald.
